Friday, April 28, 2017

Basketball Spotlight AC Showcase 6th Grade Top Performers Part 1

Jomani Wright

The Basketball Spotlight 6th Grade Division brought out the best talent in the region. Here’s our first look at the Top Performers from this age group. Basketball Spotlight AC Showcase 6th Grade Top Performers Part 1 Jomani Wright Guard (Riverside Hawks) – Wright might have been the best pound for pound player in the entire event. He plays hard on both ends of the floor. On the offensive end floor you can compare this pint size lefty guard to Isaiah Thomas. Jo Jo can get buckets in a variety of ways either attacking the basket and hitting his floater or stroking a 3ball from distance. He exploded for 25 points in the championship against New Heights.

Christian Bliss Guard (Riverside Hawks) – Bliss is a winner and this is a very great quality for a point guard. He is one of those floor generals that was born and understands what he needs to do from game to game for his team to win the game. He doesn’t care if he shoots one shot or scores one point just so he wins the game. Christian isn’t the quickest or most athletic player on the floor but he knows how to maximize his ability playing the angles and using his body to ward off defenders. He is a pesky defender that gets steals and offensively he can space the floor knocking down the 3 point shot or make the elite level pass. He finished with 11 points in the championship.

Caleb Crawford Guard (Riverside Hawks) – Crawford is wired to score. He can knock down the trey ball or attack the basket. He also has a mid-range game and he excels finishing in transition. Every game we watch when he plays he always seems to be out finishing in transition one on none. It seems that the Riverside Hawks recipe for success is that their top guys all have a great feel for the game and high IQ but further more they all play hard and with a purpose like they love the game. That usually equates to wins and Caleb exudes all of that.

Nico Andrews Forward (Riverside Hawks) – Riverside is an undersized team but they make up for it with overall toughness and Andrews is probably the toughest. He is an athletic forward that will probably move more to the perimeter when he gets older but right now he plays so hard he grabs all the rebounds in or outside his area. He also plays tough defense blocking shots on bigger opposing players. He can finish around the basket and he knocks down his free throws.

D.J. Wagner Guard (New Heights) – Wagner is an explosive scoring guard. He comes from a great family lineage and it seems you can project the future with this kid which will be a high level blue chip prospect. He attacks the basket relentlessly and just seems to plays at a different speed than his peers. Defensively he can guard multiple perimeter positions and Wagner gives the opposition fits. In the two games we saw he finished with 14 and 12 points.

Jaiden Williams Forward (New Heights) – Williams is a long wing that is a match up problem at this level. He plays hard with a high motor which makes him a good two way player. He is good in transition or attacking the basket in the half court and can knock down the open jumper. He scored 20 points in the game we saw.

Jayden Reid Guard (New Heights) – Reid was the main man on his Gauchos squad but now he is a part of arguably the best perimeter trio in the country with Wagner and Williams. He fit in well with this team and showed he can facilitate to keep his teammates happy and pick his spots when needed to score the ball. We believe with more practice and as they gel the New Heights perimeter group can be special. He scored 16 points in the game we scouted.

Naazir Robinson Guard (New Heights) – When we saw Robinson last time he was strictly a scorer. This time we saw him transition to more of a primary ball handler handling some point guard duties and he looked comfortable doing it. Naazir has a nice 3 point stroke and he also has a good mid-range jumper. He is definitely an important piece to this New Heights team if they want to be successful and win games.